Chapter 35

“Extremely powerful spirits—wraith-type monsters—made their nest beneath the estate,” the catfolk mage explained.

“The spirits devoured the minds of the baron’s second son and his soldiers when they barged in, then possessed their bodies to rise to the surface. After that, they slaughtered the baron’s entire family and claimed the land as their own.”

“In the end, only the eldest son survived, because he happened to remain in Seol West for personal reasons.”

“Hm…”

“As soon as he inherited the barony, the eldest swore vengeance for his family. He petitioned the Seol East Adventurer’s Guild to destroy the spirits that had murdered his kin, and as payment, he offered up the very estate that had been claimed by them.”

“The Guild naturally accepted and issued the quest.”

“Which means… it’s been a year and a half since then. Why hasn’t it been resolved?”

The catfolk mage’s cat ears twitched as her brows drew together.

“Because the spirits are monstrously strong.”

“…Simple enough reason.”

“Yes. A whole clan and seven different parties have been annihilated trying to subdue them. Most of them ended up possessed and slaughtered each other.”

“Wow…”

“That’s why the quest, which was originally rated six stars, is now listed as a ten-star.”

For reference, a six-star quest required a full party of Aura Users or 4th–5th-rank mages.

And ten-star meant…

“So, to solve the problem with this estate, you’d need a team of 8th-rank archmages or Master-level Steel Body users?”

The catfolk mage smiled at Shia, amused by her old-fashioned speech, and nodded.

“Yes. Just as the young lady says.”

Only then did I understand why the quest had been left to rot.

Archmages of the 8th rank or Master-class warriors were assets managed on a national level, their value astronomical. There was no way they’d form a party just to win a scenic estate.

“And since the Adventurer’s Guild has neither the money nor the obligation to raise the commission, the only option left is to let it sit.”

“Exactly. If this had happened in Central, the capital, things might be different. But here in Seol, leaving one or two cursed sites alone doesn’t cause much trouble.”

“Hm…”

“Still, it’s inconvenient for the Guild. No matter the excuse, it looks like incompetence. And if spirits continue to fester in one place, the land itself could become corrupted. Shadowed. It might start spewing out zombies and ghouls.”

“I see… so when Miss Rivet”—I finally had her name—“filed her request, the Guild hoped the Tower might step in. Hence their counter-offer.”

“Yes. Honestly, I considered keeping quiet, but since we accepted the inquiry, I thought it best to tell you everything.”

Watching her smile sheepishly, I was once again impressed by Sodin Cross’s standing in the Central Tower.

The catfolk mage in front of me was no lightweight—she was a 6th-rank mage, a full-fledged High Mage. That was equivalent to a Blaster-level knight. And yet, because of one letter of introduction from Sodin, she had gone out of her way to handle something as mundane as house-hunting.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, remembering the reclusive elf professor trembling with excitement when I dangled the promise of someday meeting an angel.

“…I really did bag myself a sucker.”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, nothing. Anyway, in that case, it seems best for us to pass.”

“Most likely.”

But then, Shia grinned slyly and turned to the catfolk mage.

“Spirits, you say. Judging by what I’ve heard, their actual physical strength is negligible.”

“Well, yes. They’re spirits. Their method is to induce fear, confusion, and nightmares until they break their target’s mind and take over their body.”

“So they only rely on mental attacks. That’s good enough. Let’s go.”

“…Excuse me? Young lady, what did you just say?”

“Let’s go to that haunted estate. One must always see a house with one’s own eyes before deciding.”

I leaned down and whispered to the overly confident Shia.

‘Hey. Do you actually have some trick in mind?’

She let out a mischievous chuckle.

‘Heh. Just leave everything to your former Demon King.’

The labyrinth itself was one, but there wasn’t just a single entrance. In Seol East, three of those entrances had been officially sanctioned by the Adventurer’s Guild.

The district was divided accordingly—Districts 1 through 3, each centered around one of those gates.

The estate Rivet, Shia, and I were headed for lay on the outskirts of District 3, nestled against the coast.

We crunched through snow still clinging to the mountain paths, proof that winter had yet to loosen its grip. Soon, a fence of barbed wire and posted signs—likely the Guild’s work—came into view.

[WARNING]

[HIGH-RANK SPIRIT CLUSTER ZONE]

[INTERESTED PARTIES INQUIRE AT DISTRICT 3 ADVENTURER’S GUILD]

Naturally, we ignored the warning and slipped over the fence.

Another ten minutes up the slope and the terrain opened into an astonishingly wide and beautiful basin, the kind of place you wouldn’t expect to exist here.

“This entire basin belongs to the baron’s estate,” Rivet explained.

Shia and I spoke in unison.

“Wow…”

“This is incredible…”

Amazingly, this place ticked nearly every absurd box Shia had demanded.

The scenery was stunning. A stream from the mountains tumbled down into a gushing valley, feeding into a vast natural lake that glimmered under the light.

It looked like an ancient caldera basin, lifted and eroded over countless ages into its current form.

Shia ran around with childlike wonder before shouting back at Rivet.

“The sea!?”

“Just over that ridge on the other side. A sandy beach, and yes—it’s all part of the estate grounds.”

“…A private beach?”

“Yes. Impressive, isn’t it?”

“Wow…”

I had to admit, even I was tempted now.

But as we wandered, I noticed something odd.

“So… where exactly is this haunted mansion?”

“If the Guild’s documents are correct, it should be right over there.”

“…I don’t see anything.”

At my remark, Rivet smiled faintly, pulled out a scroll, and tore it without hesitation.

RIIIP.

The moment she did, a building abruptly appeared on what had seemed like nothing more than a weed-choked plain.

“An optical barrier and a warding seal. The Guild put them up to keep the curious from wandering in.”

“Ah. Makes sense.”

We approached the mansion cautiously. A suffocating miasma of black energy swirled around it.

Hoooooo…

True to its name, the haunted estate grew more ominous the closer we drew, the air heavy with a dreadful, chilling presence.

Ehehehehehe…

Kihihihihi…

Humans… humans have come…

Come closer… come play with us…

From every direction came ghastly wails.

As we drew closer, what I thought was just a haze of black miasma revealed its revolting truth.

“Wow… no wonder ordinary people would be traumatized just seeing this.”

Standing, sitting, crouching, half-there, half-not. Twisted, filthy, writhing things. Shapes splitting, tearing. Too many hands, too many feet. Bodies oozing pus. Some headless, others with too many heads. Eyeless ones, or ones spilling eyeballs. Mouths vomiting insects, tongues licking them back up. Guts spilling out, or stuffed back in. Limbs gnawed, flesh melting, bodies shrinking, bloating, dripping in black, red, and dark crimson.

All manner of grotesque wraiths packed the mansion grounds, swarming and squirming.

It was the kind of sight that could knock an ordinary person unconscious from terror alone.

Even Rivet, who until now had only read Guild reports, let out a shaken breath at the reality of the scene.

“…Unbelievable. For spirits to manifest such solid forms… and in broad daylight, no less.”

She gripped my and Shia’s arms tight.

“Stay here. If we go closer, it’ll be beyond my power to protect you. Don’t be fooled—those things may look aimless, but they’ve already noticed us.”

At her warning, I turned to Shia.

“Shia. I trusted you enough to come this far. What exactly are you planning?”

Shia puffed out her flat chest with pride.

“My dear, those are malice-born spirits. Not mere monsters, but beings birthed under the Demon Kings and the Trial itself.”

“And?”

“Have you forgotten who I am? I was once a Demon King! They were mine to rule—how could a king ever fear her own subjects?”

Rivet tilted her head, confused.

“…Former Demon King?”

“Ah, don’t mind her,” I said quickly. “You know how kids at that age are—stormy years, thinking they’re special, needing to show it off…”

“Ah. Chuunibyou.”

Oh? So even in the Baran tongue they had a word for it.

“Yes, that. Just take it as that,” I said, smiling.

While Rivet looked on with gentle understanding, I pulled Shia aside, lowering my voice.

‘So? You mean since you’re their king, they’ll obey you?’

‘…No. Once I was sealed, I ceased being their king. Naturally, the monsters of the North fell out of my control.’

‘Then what’s the point?’

‘You don’t get it. Sealed or not, the power of a Demon King still dwells within me. I just can’t release it outward. Do you think such pitiful wraiths could touch my mind?’

‘…Fair point.’

‘Exactly. They rely on mental assaults alone. Against me, they’re nothing. So I’ll go in, have a look around. Perhaps I’ll find a solution.’

‘Isn’t it risky? Who says it’s only wraiths in there?’

‘I’ll bring Hosik.’

‘…You’re sure about this?’

‘I’ve only just started enjoying life after quitting the whole Demon King business. Do you really think I’d risk myself here? Relax.’

‘…Fine. Do it.’

“What are you two whispering about?” Rivet asked.

“She says she’s going in herself.”

“Are you insane!?”

Her eyes went wide. Shia, unfazed, plucked the purring cat from her shoulder and tossed it to the ground.

ROOOOAR!

“Kyah!!”

Rivet yelped, throwing up a magic barrier as a massive tiger appeared before her. When she realized it wasn’t attacking, her mouth fell open.

“…A beast? A beast tamer? But I’ve never seen this species before…”

Not quite. Hosik wasn’t a beast but a malice-born creature. Demon King’s spawn, bound to Shia. But she wouldn’t know that.

Ignoring her, Shia hopped onto Hosik’s back and gave me a thumbs-up.

“I’ll be back.”

“W–wait!!”

Before Rivet could stop her, Shia charged straight into the haunted mansion, swallowed by the tide of wraiths.

“What are you going to do about this!?” Rivet screamed. “That girl may be a beast tamer, but this isn’t something you solve with pets!”

“…Relax. She’ll be fine. She’s not the type to bluff.”

“What the hell is she!?”

“Uh… a former Demon King?”

“…You’re joking at a time like this!?”

…Except I wasn’t.